Nobody had coats
“I couldn’t imagine how I was going to pull off Christmas for these three kids. I immediately called Foster Forward because I knew that they did a gift distribution as I had used it the year before.”
Do you know about our Community Storefront location?
Foster youth and families can shop at the Community Storefront for donated materials, like new and gently used clothing, toys, and other household essentials...for free.
We fill its 4000 square foot space month after month with regular donations from individuals, families, businesses, and partners, and fill in the gaps with our own funds when necessary.
Through the Storefront, we get to hear the challenging realities of new foster parents and are able to meet their needs with support from our community.
Here’s Jenn’s story:
Jenn got the call for a placement of three siblings - a five year old, two year old, and an eight month old. It was just 10 days before Christmas, and two days before a massive snow storm. The children showed up at Jenn’s door within 30 minutes of receiving the initial call. “I felt incredibly overwhelmed, but knew it was the right thing to do," Jenn shares.
Nobody had coats, the baby didn’t even have socks. “I couldn’t imagine how I was going to pull off Christmas for these three kids. I immediately called Foster Forward because I knew that they did a gift distribution as I had used it the year before.”
Jenn met Kate, our Volunteer Coordinator, who brought coats, hats, gloves, snow pants, Christmas gifts from the distribution, pajamas, clothes, and diapers directly to her door. Then, Kate organized a sponsorship for the family through the Holiday Gifts program. “The gifts filled my garage! They say it takes a village to raise a child. Foster Forward is such a huge part of my village.”
- Jenn Keating, Foster parent of three siblings
It’s important that we maintain the Community Storefront space for years to come, and we’re asking for your help. When you become a Second Home Loyalty Program member, you will:
Support the general upkeep and operational costs associated with managing the Community Storefront, a free resource for all foster youth and parents
Ensure that all foster children and youth have clothing and apartment essentials. Sometimes, we have to purchase clothing to fill in our apparel gaps and meet all needs at the Storefront.
Contribute to families like Jenn’s, filling our shelves with toiletries and essentials, like diapers, wipes, sippy cups, cleaning supplies, socks, underwear, soap and shampoo
Give to 800+ of foster youth and families who utilize the Storefront each year
You can choose your monthly giving level of $19, $25, $50, $75, $100, or another amount. We welcome you to join us today.
Thank you for your consideration and support. And, thank you to those who have already joined us! We are excited to welcome you!
Lisa Guillette,
Executive Director
